Swearing

When I look back on my childhood, I can't remember a single time ever hearing a swear word being said at home, literally. (Go Mom and Dad!).  Though despite my parents hard work, I became very familiar with every 4-letter word as I frequently played at the Isaacsons (naturally). I quickly learned that the twins had a love/hate relationship with ESPN.

Since becoming an "adult", I swear a lot more often.  For some odd reason, that one little word will keep me from dramatically collapsing on the floor in pain after stubbing my toe. It just feels good. Enough said.

I went on a blind date a few weeks ago and I "accidentally" swore twice. But really, I was just testing the waters to see if it bothered him. (weird dating criteria?! probably)

But when it comes to the hospital, there is this unwritten rule, that you just-don't-swear. Especially working with kids! And I am proud to say that my record is squeaky clean! Not long ago I trained a new graduate nurse. She always did a good job, but when it came to high stressful moments, she just plain out, couldn't handle it.  Without fail, she would swear and start crying. Even in front of the patient and family. After a few times I finally told her she needs to watch her mouth (politely, or course). Which only made her cry more. I felt bad a first, but after her third break down, I stopped caring. ( I really am a nice trainer, I swear).

I may be able to control my mouth when something goes wrong, but that doesn't mean that a real of swear words aren't going off in my head.

For Example: when...

• I'm doing a sterile dressing change and my patient hits my tray over (this was a baby, in case you were wondering).
• My kids' tubing getting caught on the bathroom handle, forcing a disconnection, causing chemo to fly in the air.
• Slipping and falling on a newly mopped floor. (yes, it happened)
• Chemo infiltrating at the port site. (going in to the skin, not the bloodstream)
• Walking in to find my kid throwing up after giving him oxycodone on an empty stomach. (woops! my bad)
• My kid reacts 5 minutes into starting a blood trasnfusion.
• I have to bag my 20 day year old baby in the hallway on my way to XRay.

The list could go on and on. But I remember one of my instructors in nursing school taught us that a good nurse can always remain calm and collected, despite her ... freaking-out, holy-crap, now-what-am-I-going-to-do?! ... emotions, NO MATTER the crisis, if only for the sake of the family.

Good lesson. Now if only I can apply that to my dating life.